Hanukkah: Not Christmas for Jews

While the two holidays fall in close proximity to each other and are celebrated in popular culture together, Hanukkah does not hold the religious significance for Jews that Christmas holds for Christians.

Each year, Hanukkah falls in close proximity or during Christmas according to the Hebrew calendar. Because of that, the two are celebrated side by side under the “Happy Holidays” moniker. But in terms of religious significance, Hanukkah doesn’t rank as high for Jews as Christmas ranks for Christians. “It’s hard to not make a big deal of out Hanukkah living in America, and I’m not sure it’s a bad thing,” said Rabbi Rhoda Silverman of Temple Emanuel in Reisterstown. “That’s not a problem for me as long as we don’t forget about everything else that makes us Jewish.” Jonathan Schwartz, senior aide to Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond and a member of Temple Emanuel, sees Hanukkah as having two roles in the lives of American Jews…

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Enter Patch's 'Deck the House' Contest

Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our "Deck the House" contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!

Patch is launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16 by clicking here. A Columbia home in Howard County was named a national finalist last year. Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from those, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local school district. Now’s the time to get your holiday decorations out of the attic and “deck” your house. Click here to …

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A Time to Give

Helping Those in Need

One family's story of receiving and the gratitude that has lasted more than 20 years.

You go to the Angel Tree at the mall and donate a toy, a coat, or hat and gloves. You go to the Food Bank and drop off canned goods. Or you donate money to the Light House Shelter or to a family in need in your church. Yet, you wonder whether it has made a difference.  You never get the opportunity to see the faces of the recipients throughout the holiday season so you have no way of knowing the impact you have had on their lives.  Your generosity makes all the difference in the world. The gifts you give this year will be remembered years from now.  I can tell you this because I have been on the receiving end. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer on Oct. 30, 1990. I was a senior in college (on financial aid). My mother was four …

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Severna Park Families Share Favorite Holiday Traditions

Here are some stories behind the traditions that make this time of year so special.

Your family has one. Maybe more than one.  A sweet holiday tradition that makes you smile just to think about.  Are you the three sisters that head out together as soon as the first store opens after Thanksgiving dinner and don't return until you run out of steam or gas, whichever comes first?  Do you leave milk and cookies for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph? Do you open your Hanukah presents all at once or one a day? Every family has a story....now it's time to share yours with Patch.  Cindy Powell of Chartwell shares that many years ago her husband Jim's mom, Dottie Powell, created a clever new way to celebrate once all the grand kids got a bit too old for Christmas stockings. The tradition lasted many years.  Each family member arriving…

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